Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis sp. 'Mini') Care Guide
Eleocharis sp. 'Mini' is a dwarf selection of hairgrass producing a thick grass-like lawn under 4 cm, demanding strong light, CO2 and rich substrate.
Overview
Dwarf Hairgrass is the trade name for Eleocharis sp. 'Mini', a small spike-rush in the family Cyperaceae. It forms a dense grass-like lawn that rarely exceeds 4 cm tall and is used as a foreground carpet in planted aquaria. The genus Eleocharis comprises hundreds of marsh species worldwide, and several dwarf forms are cultivated for the hobby.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyperaceae
- Genus: Eleocharis
- Trade name: Eleocharis sp. 'Mini'
- Related cultivars: Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis parvula
Habitat
Eleocharis species inhabit wetlands, pond margins and shallow streams on every continent except Antarctica, with diversity centres in tropical America, eastern Asia and Australia. Wild plants grow with their bases submerged and tops emersed; both growth forms occur in cultivation.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 20-28 C (68-82 F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-10 dGH
- Lighting: high (PAR >70 at substrate)
- CO2: required for fast, dense carpet
- Substrate: aquasoil with high CEC
- Placement: foreground / carpet
Growth and propagation
Eleocharis sp. 'Mini' propagates through stolons (runners) that spread laterally through the substrate, sending up new shoots roughly every 1-2 cm. Trim the lawn every ~3 weeks to encourage new shoots and prevent old leaves from accumulating debris and algae.
Placement and aquascaping
Used as a fine-textured foreground carpet that contrasts with broad-leaved plants. The first weeks after planting are the most demanding: poor light or low CO2 results in algae overgrowth on the slowly emerging blades. Established lawns are robust and tolerate occasional fluctuations.